How Can You Know Whether Suboxone Treatment Is Right For You?

If you've been battling a clinical dependence on prescription opiates, or have turned to heroin to cope with chronic pain and withdrawal symptoms once your prescription can no longer be refilled, you may be wondering whether you have any options short of an inevitable overdose or death. While suboxone has been a saving grace for many who have struggled with heroin or opiate addiction, it's not right for everyone, and there are some factors you'll want to consider carefully before pursuing this treatment option. Read on to learn more about suboxone treatment and what to expect if you go this route.

Who can be helped by suboxone?

Suboxone, like its chemical relative methadone, works to suppress opiate cravings and eliminate the effect of opiates on the brain by binding to these receptors. However, unlike opiates, suboxone doesn't produce a "high" when ingested, allowing those suffering from addiction to take a dose of this medication and go about their day feeling functional and clear-headed, without dealing with the potentially debilitating effects of withdrawal.

Suboxone can be especially helpful to those who want to quit taking painkillers or using heroin but who are afraid that the pain of withdrawal will send them straight back into chronic opiate use. On the other hand, those who are still in denial that they have an addiction or feel as though they can quit whenever they want may not yet be ready for this option.

What should you consider when deciding whether to pursue suboxone treatment?

While suboxone can often be used as "training wheels" to go from a life of addiction to a life free from any mind or mood-altering substances, for some, it may be a permanent addition to their daily schedule. It's important to speak with a medical professional to determine a suboxone plan before entering treatment, which can help you from feeling blindsided by the information that you may be dependent upon suboxone for the rest of your life.

You'll also want to take scheduling factors into account. While suboxone can be administered by a physician, suboxone "clinics" require users to sign in and show up at a pre-specified time for each dose rather than simply handing out a week or a month's worth of suboxone at once. If you live far from a suboxone clinic, don't have reliable transportation, or if your work hours prohibit you from reliably showing up each morning for your dose, you may find it difficult to take part in or continue with this treatment.

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